Chapter 113: Rewarding the Army, Distributing Money |
After finishing the army morale boosting in the city, Wei Wusheng walked toward the county office accompanied by Qin Kuo and Zhu Qing, with Xinyue following behind them.
"Having only our Forbidden Army from Sheng'an in the county office—is that somewhat... inappropriate?" Qin Kuo was still a bit timid. "That General Ran is even a marquis."
Right now in all of Shuofeng, the highest-ranking noble was the meritorious noble Ran Jin.
By rights, he was even more distinguished than Wei Wusheng.
After all, the Emperor hadn't given Little Wei any title whatsoever.
This made his status quite awkward.
If the Prince of Zhongping had come, even Xiao Qun would have to follow his suggestions and decisions.
Therefore, not inviting such an illustrious person was too deliberate.
"The entire army is celebrating, and outside the county office they're celebrating together as well." Seeing him say this, Wei Wusheng corrected him, "We're not having a special meal—this is just the Forbidden Army's daily briefing."
These two were clearly playing dumb.
How could Qin Kuo not understand?
After every victory, there was always a celebratory feast to boost army morale.
After arranging shift rotations, the soldiers drank freely, the common people joined in the celebration, while the high-ranking military officers and civil officials joined the commanding general in the main tent as core members for a more elite banquet, perhaps even with beautiful women dancing.
When had anyone ever specifically invited an entire military unit to drink together?
And even down to the common soldiers.
Though actually, there were no longer any common soldiers left in the Forbidden Army.
They had all been promoted to mid- and low-level officers in that wave at Langya.
This was clearly about cultivating personal loyalists.
Honestly, Qin Kuo felt somewhat uneasy.
But he still followed along into the county office.
And as soon as they entered, all the soldiers sitting on the ground turned around. They knelt on one knee toward Wei Wusheng, both hands clenched into fists, calling out in unison: "Your Highness!"
Like over two hundred wolves, sharp and fierce, the ruthlessness in their eyes had been elevated once more in this battle where more than half had died.
Everyone was utterly loyal.
And the person they were loyal to wasn't even the Emperor.
"Everyone, sit."
Wei Wusheng looked at them, nodding to them as he walked, showing both respect and regard.
He walked all the way to Song Shi'an's side.
And Song Shi'an naturally shifted to one side, yielding the center position to Little Wei.
Although Yixin would unite around both himself and Little Wei, the man was a prince after all, so he had to restrain himself a bit.
Of course, he couldn't restrain himself too much.
They'd agreed to share glory together—why should I retreat into the crowd?
Little Wei and I are both champion leaders!
"Your Highness, including Generals Zhu and Qin, there are a total of two hundred ninety-nine people remaining in the Forbidden Army." Song Shi'an said.
After he finished speaking, San Gou quietly reminded Song Shi'an: "Laoye, it seems like there are two hundred ninety-eight people."
"What, I can't count myself in?"
Song Shi'an retorted.
"Oh!!!" As soon as these words came out, everyone present clenched their fists and raised their arms in cheers, extremely excited.
The Forbidden Army, no matter how elite, were still soldiers, military registry.
Even Qin Kuo and Zhu Qing, despite their considerable ranks, were still counted in the military registry.
For the gentry, the army was sweat-stink and coarseness.
But Song Shi'an, this scion of an aristocratic family, a seventh-rank official, actually said he was also a member of the Forbidden Army—how could they not love and admire him?
"Aiya... this works, this totally works." San Gou immediately grinned foolishly and flattered, "This is an honor for our Forbidden Army."
"But it's not two hundred ninety-nine then, is it?"
At this moment, Wei Wusheng asked.
Everyone was puzzled—why was there still a discrepancy on such a certain number?
Wei Wusheng clenched his fist and thumped it on his chest, saying: "Here, we have three hundred Forbidden Army!"
As soon as these words came out, everyone's emotions went up another level.
The assembled soldiers raised their arms and cheered for a second round.
And they didn't stop for a long time.
Some soldiers were even moved to tears.
If you come in the depths of winter, I'll return you a city of pure white snow!
To be a soldier, one must truly be a soldier!
"In this great battle against Qi, the provincial troops, commandery troops, and border troops all fought bravely to kill the enemy, but no one was like our Forbidden Army—only three in ten surviving, so magnificent and tragic."
As Wei Wusheng spoke, he extended his hand.
Someone quickly placed a bowl in his hand.
And others poured wine from a large jar into his bowl with gurgling sounds until it overflowed.
"Bring wine." Song Shi'an ordered.
Quickly, the Forbidden Army brothers brought out all the Western Liang Lang liquor, and everyone got a bowl distributed to them.
Song Shi'an as well.
Thinking of this, he looked toward Xinyue.
Xinyue shook her head at Song Shi'an, not minding.
As a personal guard, except when on leave, she could never drink alcohol under any circumstances.
What kind of bodyguard gets drunk along with their master?
She also wasn't counted among these three hundred Forbidden Army members, since Great Yu had no precedent for women enlisting or becoming officials.
But that didn't make her unimportant—on the contrary, her presence allowed Little Wei to call them brothers while still maintaining some class distinction.
"The first bowl of wine—to our fallen brothers!"
Wei Wusheng slowly poured the wine onto the ground.
The others followed suit, pouring it onto the earth to comfort the heroic spirits, and promising: "The families of every brother who died in battle will receive the court's pension, tax exemption, and land rewards. And more than that."
Only by ensuring the dead had support would people not fear death.
"The second bowl of wine—to our brothers wounded and disabled in this battle." Wei Wusheng spoke again.
Among them, about a dozen men had become crippled, missing hands or feet, or with one eye, reaching severe disability. Although they came to celebrate together, their moods were more or less heavy.
In ancient times, casualties went together.
In this battle, those who were seriously wounded basically had no medical treatment, and many had died one after another.
Those lucky enough to survive could only return home with maimed bodies after being discharged, to eke out an existence as the lowest commoners.
Everyone's joys and sorrows were different.
So these men's hands holding their bowls had no strength, becoming increasingly bitter.
But they still followed and drank it all down.
At this moment, Song Shi'an took out a rope with four knots tied in it, walked up to a one-armed middle-aged man, and said: "Brother, how many knots are these?"
This question stunned everyone.
That man was also dumbfounded. After holding it in for a while, he said: "Laoye... this should be four?"
"Very good."
Song Shi'an smiled, exchanged a glance with Wei Wusheng, nodded in understanding, then said to everyone: "His Highness promises that any brother who can count numbers will be able to become a civil official in this Shuo Commandery after discharge."
"?!"
These words shocked everyone completely.
Those disabled soldiers also widened their eyes, unable to believe it.
Directly become civil officials...
Without taking exams?
Because the numbers were relatively small, and the officials in this place were already a mixed bag anyway—people promoted to semi-civil, semi-military positions through military merit were not uncommon, all through connections.
Although this was supposed to be exclusive to the sons of aristocratic families, now they were going to let this glory shine upon the entire county office.
"Thank Your Highness!"
"I am infinitely grateful, I'm willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness for the rest of my life!"
"Even if I die, I'll become a fierce ghost and bite to death anyone who opposes Your Highness!"
The disabled soldiers, having received such a weighty promise, had all gloom swept from their faces, showing only excitement and loyalty to His Highness that could not be expressed in words.
If His Highness wants me dead right now, from the city wall to the ground, I only need one second.
"Also thank Lord Song." Wei Wusheng extended his hand.
Everyone also saluted Song Shi'an with clenched fists: "Thank Lord Song!"
"This is what you all deserve." Song Shi'an smiled and raised his hand to press down, then suddenly said seriously: "Of course, only 'scholars' who can count can become civil officials. For brothers who can't count, I'm powerless to help."
These words immediately made everyone burst into laughter.
Lord Song really was good at livening up the atmosphere.
Great Yu's humorist.
"The last bowl of wine." After filling the wine, Wei Wusheng raised his bowl with both hands, facing everyone, "To these three hundred brave warriors."
Three hundred people raised their bowls together.
"From that day at Langya, Lord Song promised that everyone would be promoted at least two ranks. What he says represents what I say."
His gaze like torches, Wei Wusheng said very seriously: "We defended this Shuofeng. No one can take away the merit of our brothers. In this battle, when it comes to promotion and wealth, we get priority. Every drop of blood you've shed for me, for His Majesty of Great Yu, for all under heaven, has not been shed in vain!"
What he needed to do now wasn't to establish a force of three hundred loyal death-warriors.
Rather, it was three hundred absolutely loyal mid- and low-level military officers.
That meant at least ten thousand men.
Everyone drained their cups completely.
After the three bowls of wine were finished, it was time for free celebration.
But before that, following Song Shi'an's suggestion, there was still a gift to give them.
The doors of the county office opened.
Part of the property from Duke Zhang and the ten-plus wealthy clans was transported here.
Outside the county office, the other soldiers and common people were also receiving rewards.
But if there was no differential treatment, how could one highlight the rewards for loyalty?
"Take it, take it."
San Gou led people in distributing hemp sacks.
Everyone had a gray hemp sack the size of those for holding rice. Looking at these several dozen cases of money and goods, their eyes all lit up.
How much could each person get?
For this, they looked toward Song Shi'an, who should be in charge of distributing money.
And he waved his hand grandly and generously said: "Divide it yourselves, fill them to the brim."
"Thank Laoye!"
"Thank Your Highness!"
"Then I'm really going to stuff it full?"
"This Duke Zhang, these wealthy clans, they're really rich!"
Over ten million Yu coins were happily divided up by the soldiers.
This scene made Zhu Qing show a smile.
Qin Kuo's somewhat conflicted heart also calmed down.
That's right—why should others more distinguished have to share a piece of our pie?
The troops at Langya were taken away by the Forbidden Army fighting to the death, the defenders with the most casualties were also the Forbidden Army—we damn well deserve wealth and honor!
Those dividing money divided money, those drinking drank.
Everyone was extremely happy.
Wei Wusheng also felt exhilarated, though he still had some slight worries: "Is this too much?"
Song Shi'an shook his head, saying: "Everyone does it this way."
An army without loyalty has no combat power.
To have reservations about rewarding the army meant you couldn't win hearts.
The snow had fallen for over a day and had just stopped for a while, still piled everywhere, but the county office had been swept in advance, plus fires were piled around for warmth. The two men sat on the ground, and Wei Wusheng even personally poured wine for Song Shi'an.
The two each raised a bowl of wine, lightly clinked them together, then drank.
"So Shi'an, what reward do you want?"
Although the court's rewards would certainly come, that was from the Emperor.
Little Wei also wanted to show his appreciation.
For this, Song Shi'an slowly turned his head and looked toward Xinyue.
"!"
Rarely, Xinyue nervously held her breath, her heart starting to race.
Wei Wusheng also noticed, but his expression remained calm without any ripples.
Since he wanted Xinyue, then he'd give her...
"Why are you blocking here?"
Until Song Shi'an asked in confusion.
"Tch." Xinyue glared at him, then stood to the side.
In Song Shi'an's line of sight appeared all the members of Yixin.
Looking at these celebrating, joyful soldiers, Song Shi'an said: "I only want Your Highness not to abandon them."
Wei Wusheng's expression froze.
He also looked at them.
How could he not abandon them?
At least Wusheng, who had no noble title, couldn't lead them.
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